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  • Biodiversity on the Balcony

    Biodiversity on the Balcony

    This World Environment Day, the United Nations is urging us to learn how all living things on Earth are connected in the web of life and how we can act #ForNature.

    Biodiversity on your balcony is one way urban areas can contribute to the health of our ecosystem. What can you do even on a small space?

    Water. Create a water bowl (or saucer or both) placing a stick in the bowl to give birds an entry and exit point, and a few larger rocks or pebbles.

    Mount a nesting box and insect hotel to encourage different species.

    Consider having your own native bee hive.

    If you have an area outside in the shade, put in a community Hungry Bin worm farm to recycle your strata's organic matter.

    NATIVES, NATIVES, NATIVES. They will attract birds, native bee hives and butterflies - even up high.

     

    By Meredith Kirton

     #worldenvironmentday #itstimefornature

  • Plants for Wellness

    Plants for Wellness

    Breathe Easy 

    It can be tricky getting some fresh air at the moment.  So if you’re stuck indoors, what can be done?  Plants of course are great air filters.  Backed up by lots of research, including a NASA report that states how great a number of indoor plants are at clearing the air and removing toxins such as benzene, formaldehyde and trichloroethylene.  The study showed that Bamboo palms, Ivy, Moth Orchids, Dracenas, Philodendrons and Mother-in-law’s tongues work wonders, as well as Aloe vera, Boston Ferns, Peace lilies and Spider plants.

    Other tips to help you breathe easy include avoiding vacuuming (it stirs up the dust, so mop instead) and mow your grass on clear days.  Keep your windows and doors closed and run the air conditioner, as the air goes through a filter that way. 

     

    Our Top Air purifying super heros

     

    • Boston Fern
    • English Ivy
    • Spider plant
    • Devil’s Ivy
    • Peace Lily
    • Flamingo Lily
    • Chinese Evergreen
    • Parlour Palm
    • Bamboo Palm
    • Lady (Rhapis) Palm
    • Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron cordatum)
    • Elephant Ear Philodendron (Philodendron domesticum)
    • Snake Plant or Mother –in-Law’s Tongue (Sanserveria)
    • Draceana marginata
    • Draceana fragrans
    • Draceana ‘Janet Craig’
    • Weeping Fig
    • Rubber Plant
    • Dieffenbachia
    • Homalomena
    • Phalaenopsis
  • Biodiversity on the Balcony

    Biodiversity on the Balcony

    This World Environment Day, the United Nations is urging us to learn how all living things on Earth are connected in the web of life and how we can act #ForNature.

    Biodiversity on your balcony is one way urban areas can contribute to the health of our ecosystem. What can you do even on a small space?

    Water. Create a water bowl (or saucer or both) placing a stick in the bowl to give birds an entry and exit point, and a few larger rocks or pebbles.

    Mount a nesting box and insect hotel to encourage different species.

    Consider having your own native bee hive.

    If you have an area outside in the shade, put in a community Hungry Bin worm farm to recycle your strata's organic matter.

    NATIVES, NATIVES, NATIVES. They will attract birds, native bee hives and butterflies - even up high.